Adjustable seat mechanism



1937- LE GRAND s. WHEDON ET AL I 2,091,088

ADJUSTABLE SEAT MECHANISM Filed Aug. 1, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 am ,MV

,. ATT NEYS Aug. 24, 1937- LIE GRAND .s. WI-YIEDON 5r AL 2,091,088

ADJUSTABLE SEAT MECHANISM I Filed Aug. 1, 1935 2 Sheet-Sheet 2 Fig.3 68106 as 32 -ZM,M@MW ATTORNEYS Landswt xcdon' svAlbmAfimnncn,

Patented Aug. 24, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ADJUSTABLE SEATMECHANISM Le Grand s. -Whedon and Albert A. Grinnell, Medina, N. Y.

Application August 1, 1935, Serial No. 34,272 '3 Claims. (Cl. 155-14)The invention relates to an adjustable seat installation for vehicles orother structures, and it'has particular relation to an improvedsupporting and operating mechanism for a seating.

the seating structure to provide comfortableupright seating posture forthe back, or the seat may be so adjusted as to move the seat bottom withrespect to its angular relation to 20 the horizontal, in order to raiseand lower portions thereof in conformity with the desired position orphysical characteristics of various types of persons; or the seat bottommay be moved bodily to various horizontal positions forwardly 25 andrearwardly, while portions of the seat back can be adjusted forwardlyand rearwardly at will, in addition to the bodily movement that occursalong with the movement of the seat bottom.

One of the principal features of the invention is exemplified in animproved structure of a controlling mechanism that is incorporated in aseat raising or lifting device that includes elements for locking andunlocking the seat struc- 35 ture in any of its series of positionswhile the locking mechanism is substantially free from bindinginfluences that might tend tointerfere with uniform action of themechanical parts of the structure.

Another feature of the invention resides in the arrangement of parallellinks for supporting the seatin various horizontal positions, and thecooperation of these elements with a locking device and springs toassist in the adjustment of the 45 seat.

Another feature of the invention is exemplified in the combination ofasubstantially forwardly and rearwardly movable portion of the seatingstructure with devices which are operated to raise or lower the seatwithin predetermined limits, and wherein mechanisms providing for thesetypes of movements can be operated independently or concurrently asdesired. 55 The invention is also concerned with an improvedconstruction of controlling device for locking the seat back in variouspositions.

In the drawings: l Fig. 1 is a side elevation of I,a complete seatassembly in which the invention has been incorporated; v I U Fig. 2 is afragmentary view, on a larger scale, partially in vertical section andpartially in elevation, and illustrating the principal operatingfeatures of the invention;

Fig. 3 isa fragmentary bottom plan ofthe construction shown in Fig- 2,and with certain structural elements omitted for the sake of clearness;

Fig, 4 is a fragmentary plan of adjusting elements included in theinvention; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective of a locking bracket for controlling theposition of certain portions of the seat structure.

In practicing the invention a seat structure I is installed upon asuitable support I 2, which can be in the form of a vehicle floor, orthe like, and is provided with upright supporting rods l3 extendingthrough the floor. Conventional nuts are threaded upon the lowerportions of each rod l3 against the upper and lower surfaces of thefloor to provide a rigid assembly, and the upper portion of each rod hasa rearwardly bent horizontal section I 6 which merges into an 'upwardlyand forwardly inclined or bent portion I! that extends forwardlyslightly beyond the body or threaded portion of the rod.

The forward end portion of each of a pair of identical channels l8 and.I9 is provided with an opening through which the'rod I 3 is disposed,and such forward end portion rests upon the horizontal section l6 of therod. A portion of each channel end is cut away, as indicated at 22, inorder to facilitate the forward and upward tilting motion of thechannels about the supporting sections l6 as fulcrums.

In this arrangement, the channels are normally I held againstdisplacementfrom the rods l6, but these channels can be disengaged bytilting'the rear channel ends upwardly and by moving the forward endsbodily from the rods.

The rear portion of each channel is provided with a threaded rod 23which serves as a supporting leg and extends through the'channel end.Conventional nuts 25 threaded upon the v rod against opposite surfacesof the channel provide for upward and downward adjustment of the rearend of each. channel. The lower por-' tion of each rod 23 is formed witha foot 26 that rests upon the surface of the hour l2 for supporting thechannel.

Each channel opens upwardly and receives adjacent opposite ends thereoffront and rear links 5 21 and 28, which are composed of fiat bars 28(Fig. 3) of relatively thin material. Opposite ends of each link arespread apart to form pairs of fingers 38 and the lower fingers aresecured by means'of bolts 32 passing through them and through sides ofthe channels l8 and I8. The upper fingers 38 are secured by means ofsimilar I bolts 33 passing through them and through the sides of upperchannels '35 and 38 which open downwardly and are parallel to the lowerchannels l8 and I9, respectively.

As best shown in Fig. 3, the rear links 28 are connected by a transversebrace 31 which is tubular in form and is rigidly secured to the innerbar portions or sections 28 of the links 28. Opposite ends of the braceare welded or otherwise secured to the opposed sections of links, or inopenings in the latter on opposite sides of the seat structure to insurea rigid assembly of the rear links. Thus forces applied to one of therear links 28 are transmitted. to the other rear link. Suihcientclearance for movement of the brace is provided by forming a recess 38in the inner fiange side of each of the lower channels l8 and I8, andthus, when the links are moved toward a horizontal position the flangesdo not interfere with proper adjustments.

One end of each of a plurality of tension springs 40 is connected in anopening 42 adjacent one end of the brace 31 and the other end of thespring is provided with a hook 43 that is connected in one of aplurality of openings 45 i formed in the lower channels I8. and 19. Itwill be noted that the coiled end portion 0! each spring adjacent thebrace 31 is wound about the brace and as the links 28 move upwardly, orin a counterclockwise direction about the bolts 32 as viewed in Fig. 2,the wound portion of the spring will be partially unwound from the braceand the tension on the spring is lessened. The

tension of the spring can be varied by selective adjustment of the hook43 in the openings 45.

In the upward and downward movement of the seatbottom, each link 28pivots about the pin 32 through an angle of approximately 90 degrees, orslightly less, and hence, the brace 31 has a rotative action with thelink through approximately the same angle. When each link 28 is in anupright or substantially vertical position a minimum portion of the endof the spring 40 is wound about the brace 31, and when the link is in asubstantially horizontal position the maximum portion of the spring endis wound about the brace. In addition to the extent to which the spring48 is tensioned by bodily movement of the brace 31 with the link 28,several more convolutions of the spring are wound about the brace as thelink approachesa horizontal position. These several more springconvolutions are determined by those disposed within the spacerepresented by approximately 90 degrees or one fourth of the distanceabout the circumference of the brace 31. Thus the spring offers aprogressively increasing amount of resistance as each link 28 approachesa horizontal position.

Conversely, as the seat bottom is raised by movement of each link 28toward a vertical position, the spring pulls a maximum amount at thebeginning of the upward movement and the amount of force exerted by thespring diminishes progressively as the links approach a verticalposition.

An adjusting link 58 composed of fiat bar pieces 52 is pivotally securedat its lower end by means of the bolt 32 that supports the rear link 528 in the lower channel l8 and the upper end is secured by means of apivot pin 53 in a downwardly opening channel slide 55 which is slidablelongitudinally in the upper channel 35 between the upper bolts 33. Thedownwardly extending 10 walls 58 of the upper channel 35 are providedwith inwardly turned guide fianges 51 which assist in guiding the slide55 and normally maintain it against displacement from the channel. Thelink 50 is formed similarly to the front and 15 rear links 21 and 28previously described.

One of the upper corners of the channel 35 receiving the slide 55 has anotch or slot' cut therethrough and the channel slide has a series ofnotches or slots 82, any one of which can regis- 20 ter with the notch88,. depending upon the position of the slide as it is movedlongitudinally in the channel 35. A locking lever 83 of angular or bellcrank form is provided with a finger 85 formed integrally at one endthereof for engag- 25 ing in registering notches 80 and 82, and is alsoprovided with a handle portion 88. for manual manipulation.

A bearing bracket 81 is rigidly secured upon the channel 35 and isprovided with a pivot pin 80 88 upon which the locking lever ispivotally mounted at its elbow. A spring 89 connected to the pin 88 hasone end extending through the finger 85 and its other end anchoredbehind the bracket 81. This spring constantly urges the 85 finger 85toward its position of engagement in the notches 80 and 82.

A passenger seated upon the structure I8 manipulates the handle 88 torelease the adjusting slide 55 and if the seat is to be lowered, the 40weight of the passenger will force the seat downwardly until the links21, 28 approach horizontal positions and the handle is then released.The finger 85 will automatically snap into registering notches 80, 82.The passenger can raise 45 the seat upon the links 21 and 28 bypartially arising and permitting the seat bottom to follow upwardlyunder -the influence of the tension springs 40 while maintaining thefinger 65 disengaged from the notches 88, 82. At the desired 50elevation the handle 88 is released and the slide 55 again is locked tomaintain the channels l8, l8 and 35, 38 in rigid, locked relation.

One endof a suspension link 18 is connected to each rear upper bolt 33at each side of the 55 seating structure and the other or upper end ofthe suspension link has a pivotal connection 12 securing it to the upperend portion of an up right standard 13 that is rigidly mounted, asindicated at 15 (Fig. 3), upon the rear portion of 5 a frame 18 of aseat bottom 11. Each link 18 is bowed forwardly adjacent its lower endand provides for forward and rear swinging movement of the seat bottom.Lower extensions or ends 18 of the standards project downwardly 5adjacent the inner sides of the upper channels 35 and 38 and constituteguides to prevent lateral displacement of the frame 18 with respect tothe channels.

of the structure. A conventional seat cushion 19 is mounted upon theframe-16.

Two IJ-shaped brackets 30 opening downwardly are secured to the bottomof the seat frame 16 at locations spaced from the front extremitythereof, and they carry transverse pins 83 supported in side walls ofthe brackets. These pins have headed ends 83 to maintain them againstdisplacement and the intermediate pin portions provide bearing surfacesto support the front poition of the seat bottom in sliding relation uponthe upper surfaces of the upper channels. A handle lever 85 of bellcrank form is provided upon one end of one of the pins 83 for pivotalaction thereon and one end ofthe lever is provided with a locking finger84 normally engaging one of the notches 86 formed along the upper cornerof the upper channel 35.

The pins 82 are supported upon the upper surfaces of the channels 35, 36and in conjunction with the suspension links 10 provide for forward andrearward movementof the seat bottom 11 with respect to thechannelmembers 35, 36. The locking finger 84 can 'be disengaged andre-enthe members in adjusted positions. A spring 81 connected to the pin83 has one end disposed through the finger 84 and its other end anchoredupon the bracket 80. This spring always urges the finger toward itsposition of engagement with the notches 86.

One side wall extension 88 of each bracket 80 projects downwardly alongthe adjacent side of the channel and is formed with an inwardly turnedflange 89 which engages beneath the edge of the channel side andprevents the bracket from being displaced vertically from the channel.The other side wall 90 of the bracket lies in sliding relation againstthe adjacent side of the chanriel35 and the two bracket sides 88 and 90provide a'guide for slidably receiving the front portion of each of thechannels 35, 36. Front end portions of the lower sides of the channels35, 36 are formed with lugs 92 which serve as stops to prevent thebrackets 80 from slipping from the ends of the channels and the inwardlyturned flanges 51 of the rear portions of the channels also "serve asstops to limit rearward movement of the brackets upon the channels. Thusthe seat bottom can be adjusted forwardly and rearwardly. upon thechannels 35, 36 and locked in various positions of adjustment bymanipulating the lever 85 and exerting slight force upon the seat bottomin the direction de-' sired. This movement can be accomplished by apassenger in the vehicle shifting his weight in the desired direction.

When the seat bottom moves forwardly and rearwardly upon the pins 82 andrear links 10,

.60 the pivotal connection 12 describes an arc, and

hence, the rear portion of the seat bottom is also slightly inclinedwith reference to the supporting channels 35, 36 as the links androllers move forwardly from the position indicated in Fig. 2.

5 Suflicient play is provided in connecting the brackets 80 about theupper channels 35, 36 to prevent binding of the parts in assuming theposition of inclination referred to. The extensions '19 also insureproper guided movement of the 7 seat bottom in forward and rearwardmovements upon the rollers.

At the rear portion of the seat bottom 11, a frame or shell I00 composedof metal, or other durable material is formed with side flanges I02,

7 forwardly projecting lower arms I03, and back gaged to permit thismovement and to secureto lock the bar to the bracket.

the seat frame 16 at locations intermediate the forward and rearwardportions of the seat bottom pivotally support'the forward ends of thearms I03 of the shell and provide for forward and rearward swingingaction of the rearand upper portion of the shell along a forward andupward are from the rear of the seat bottom. A cushion I01 whichis'included with the shell I00 as a part of a seat back I 03, is mountedin the seat shell in a conventional manner. Thus the seat back is bodilymovable within predetermined limits about the pivotal connections I 06.

An adjusting device H0 for the seat back is provided with brackets H2bolted to the rear upper portion of the seat bottomframe 16 and apivotal bolt H3 mounted thereon pivotally supports an upright bar II 5that has notches H6 ly under compression surrounds the bar H5 and hasits lower end resting upon the brackets H2, while its upper end pressesagainst the lower surface of a wall H9 that is a part of an angularbracket I20. Conventional fastening devices I22 secure the bracket to anintermediate back frame portion I23 of the shell I00. The upper endportion of the bar extends through a slot I25 formed in the wall H0 andany of the'notches can be engaged with the front edge wall of the slotI25 A finger I 32 of crank pin form is provided upon the end of a crankarm I33 of the rod and fits slidably into the slot I I1 of the bar'I I5.A handle or lever portion I35 of the crank .rod I26 is adapted to bepressed downwardly to rotate the latter in the bearing openings of thebracket and thus to release the notches H6 of the bar I I5 fromengagement with the bracket I20. One end portion of a spring I36 isconnected, as indicated at I31, to the rod I26 and its other end isconnected, as indicated at I38, to the bracket extension I 30. Thisspring is normally under tension and constantly exerts force in aclockwisedirection upon the rod I26, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, for thepurpose of maintaining the notched portionof the bar locked with theslotted portion of the bracket I20, and urges the bar towardthe lockedposition as soon as the handle I35 has been released after pressing thelatter downwardly. A downwardly disposed shield I40 in flange form andextending .integrally from the from contact with the rear cushion I0'1.

The coil spring I I8 is sufliciently strong to exert considerable forceupon the seat back I08 tending to pivot it in an upward direction aboutthe connections I06, and this action facilitates adjustment of the seatback. However, this spring is not sufliciently strong to interfere withthe movement of the seat back on its rearmost position by reasonablepressure because the weight of a passenger on the seat overcomes theforce of the spring. Since the pivotal action of the seat back isprovided about the connections at intermediate portions of the seatbottom 11, all portions of the seat back cushion I01, against which thepassenger rests, are moved forwardly the changing of the angle ofinclination of the seat back, and as well as materially changing theelevation of the upper end of the seat back. In the rearward position ofthe seat back, the rear portion of the seat bottom is disposed withinthe lower portion of the shell between the sides of the shell. The links10 and standards I3 are disposed adjacent the inner sides of theextensions I03 and are, therefore, substantially obscured from view.

One of the important advantages of this structure resides in the factthat a passenger seated in the vehicle can adjust the seat back withoutmoving from the seat merely by operating the handle or lever I35 andthen by leaning backwardly or forwardly, depending upon the direction inwhich the adjustment is desired. After the crank pin I32 has beenactuated in the slot in the upper end of the bar H5 to disengage thenotched portion of the bar from the bracket I20, the coil spring H8causes the seat back to follow the passengeras he leans forward to thedesired position, i. e., when the passenger desires to have the backadjusted forwardly. Since the pivotal connections I06 are disposedmedially of the seat bottom, the rear portion of the seat bottom and thelower portion of the seat back substantially contact. each other withoutmaterially separating during the pivotal movement of the back.

These conditions of operation are advantageous because the properrelationship between seat back and seat bottom is retained regardless ofthe relative position of adjustment, and also, the appearance ofthe seatstructure as a whole is not marred by excessive separation of thejunction portions of the cushions 19 and I01, which separation wouldoccur if the pivotal connections for the shell were located at the rearportion of the seat bottom. I

In addition to the adjustment secured by the seat back structure justdescribed, the forward and rearward adjustment provided by thesuspension links 10 and pins 82 upon the upper chan- 5 nels 35, 36,together with the upward adiustrnent provided by the lifting links 21and 28, insures the positioning of the seat back and seat bottom and theseating structure as a whole in any practical relationship conceivable.Although several phases of adjustment can be employed separately, eachphase of adjustment can serve to modify the seating characteristics ofthe 1. In an automobile seat construction a supporting base, a seatframe member upon which is mounted the seat proper, a hook memberadjustably mounted in said supporting base adjustabie for verticalmovement relative to said supporting base, said hook member comprisingan upwardly extending shaft formed at its upper end to provideextensions first, rearwardly, then upwardly, then forwardly, and thenupwardly, said seat frame member being formed with an opening near itsforward edge adapted to receive said hook, so that the seat may beplaced in position upon said hook by first lowering the seat while in ahorizontal position over the extreme upper end of the hook, then tiltingthe seat so that its rear edge is elevated to a position i above thefront edge and while in this position having their upper end portionspivotally mounted within the channels of said channel members, a lowerchannel member opening upwardly in opposed relation directly below eachupper channel member, means for pivotally supporting the lower endportions of said arms within the lower channel members, a brace rigidlyconnecting an inter- 1 mediate portion of each of a pair of the armsadjacent corresponding end portions of the channel members, and meansfor selectively adjusting the arms pivotally with respect to the channelmembers, said brace and a plurality of the sides of the channel membershaving interfitting portions to permit collapsing of the .arms andchannel members.

3. In a seat supporting unit, a pair of substantially parallel upwardlyopening channel members, a plurality of upwardly extending arms havingtheir lower end portions pivotally connected within forward and rearwardportions of said channel members, an upper channel member openingdownwardly directly above and movable substantially into lengthwisecontacting relation with each lower channel member, means for pivotallyconnecting the upper end portions of said arms within the end portionsof the upper channel members whereby the arms are substantiallycollapsible with and enclosed in the opposed channel members in theirsubstantially contacting relation, and a brace rigidly connecting a pairof the arms adjacent corresponding end portions of the channel membersin a direction transversely of the channel members, a plurality of thesides of said channel members being recessed to receive the brace in thecollapsed relation of the channel members and arms.

LE GRAND S. WHEDON. ALBERT A. GRINNELL.

